India's antibiotic sales fall, but experts warn misuse persists

Data from analytics firm Pharmarack indicate that annual unit sales of antibacterial medicines in India have been shrinking, dropping from 2.36 billion in 2023 to 2.27 billion in 2025, with every month from February to August 2026 showing lower figures than the previous month. While the trend suggests reduced overall consumption, clinicians caution that volume alone does not reflect prescribing quality. Dr Tushar Tayal of CK Birla Hospital notes a shift toward questioning the need for antibiotics, especially for viral-like respiratory and gastrointestinal cases.

Sheetal Sapale of Pharmarack points to packaging changes and more judicious dosing as factors behind the numbers. A Lancet Public Health analysis estimates India's actual antibiotic use at 18.3 defined daily doses per 1,000 people per day, exceeding the recommended 14.7 DID, with a disproportionate share of Watch-category drugs and a shortfall in Reserve-class usage, raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance.